The Devil's Betrothed novel Chapter 77

Chapter 77: Shocked Oriana

As they walked along a narrow hallway, Oriana and Butler Smith stopped in what appeared to be the common area of the servant quarters inside the second guest mansion.

An old but stern-looking woman greeted Smith. He introduced Oriana to her. "Janella, this young man is Orian, and he will be Lord’s valet. Explain to him the things he needs to know." He then looked at Oriana, "Orian, this is the Head Maid of this mansion and she will be your direct superior."

Oriana politely bowed to her, "I will be in your care now, Miss Janella."

The old maid looked at her and said in a low voice, "Hurry up and start working. The Lord ordered a bath to be drawn."

Without a word, Oriana followed Janella as she could see everyone was on their toes to serve this said Lord.

’Who the hell is this lord and why do I have to prepare a bath for him the first thing in the morning? Is this the same man Young Master Rafal greeted last night? A high-ranking palace official? I hope he is not a stinky perverted old man. Last night I could not see that person. The way all these servants are so tense, it feels like someone who they cannot even breathe in front of.’

Oriana was led towards the servant entrance of a large side chamber, where she found a large stone tub made of white marble similar to the one in Rafal’s mansion. This bath though appeared recently renovated as its appearance was more elegantly furnished, with ornate lamps illuminating the room.

"The bathtub is already filled with hot water. Stay to help the Lord with his bath."

Oriana stiffened. "What exactly do I need to do, Head Maid? Apologies. This is my first day as a valet. I humbly ask for your guidance."

The stern-looking maid eyed her with suspicion, but still, she patiently explained, "All you have to do is to add flowers in the water. Burn essence on the side depending on the fragrance the Lord likes. Use oil and soap and help the Lord with his bath. Understood?"

Janella then turned around. "The rest, ask the Lord himself. I have to take care of other important work. Good luck, boy."

The old maid looked like she was in a hurry to go somewhere.

"But..."

Janella was already gone, leaving Oriana with many questions and confused about what to do.

"Where is the oil kept? Which soap? Where are the towels?"

She started to search around and found various bottles with all sorts of oils and boxes of soaps with different fragrances kept in separate containers by bulk.

"So many? How would I know which one that said Lord would like? Lavender? Sweet Orange? Rose? Sandalwood? What do I know about scented oils and fragrant soaps? Besides, I heard only rich young ladies bathe this way. Aren’t guys supposed to only wash dirt and sweat off their bodies...?"

In the large cabinet at the side, Oriana found tens of clean folded towels placed along with bathrobes ranging from child-sized small to giant ones that could cover two Rafal-worth of bodies.

Oriana took out a clean towel and a bathrobe about an ordinary adult man’s size and put it on the table near the tub.